Page 2 - 16 The Pilgrim Fathers

Chapter 16—The Pilgrim Fathers

The English Reformers, while renouncing the

doctrines of Romanism, had retained many of

its forms. Thus though the authority and the

creed of Rome were rejected, not a few of her

customs and ceremonies were incorporated

into the worship of the Church of England. It

was claimed that these things were not

matters of conscience; that though they were

not commanded in Scripture, and hence were

nonessential, yet not being forbidden, they

were not intrinsically evil. Their observance

tended to narrow the gulf which separated

the reformed churches from Rome, and it was

urged that they would promote the

acceptance of the Protestant faith by

Romanists.

To the conservative and compromising, these

arguments seemed conclusive. But there was